KUALA LUMPUR, Oct 20 — Parti Pribumi Bersatu Malaysia (Bersatu) secretary-general Datuk Seri Mohamed Azmin Ali has blamed Perikatan Nasional’s (PN) leadership, led by PAS, for the cancellation of the coalition’s registration, alleging breaches of the Societies Act 1966 and PN’s constitution.
In a statement posted on Facebook today, Azmin said the explanations and evidence submitted by PAS during an investigation by the Registrar of Societies (RoS) were baseless and failed to satisfy legal and constitutional requirements.
He said PN’s decision to deny Bersatu the right to attend, express its views and vote at a Supreme Council meeting on July 16 constituted a serious violation of Clause 7.1 of the coalition’s constitution.
Azmin warned that the move had caused significant damage to PN and could jeopardise its future, accusing the coalition’s leadership of disregarding good governance and transparency.
He also alleged that pressure had been created to remove Bersatu from the coalition through a veto exercised by an individual who was not a member of PN’s Supreme Council.
According to Azmin, Bersatu was called to provide evidence to the RoS on August 18, following a complaint it submitted on August 11. He said the party had presented factual explanations and evidence that PN’s leadership had denied it rights guaranteed under the coalition’s constitution.
Azmin said Bersatu’s complaint was intended to ensure that PN was managed with accountability, transparency and integrity, while complying with the law and its own constitution.
“PN cannot be allowed to become a shelter for groups hungry for political power and seeking to hijack the Perikatan Nasional brand, which is moderate, progressive and responsive to the Malaysian people,” he said.
Azmin also accused PAS and its allies of portraying themselves as victims of political manoeuvring in an attempt to gain public sympathy ahead of the Melaka state election.
He criticised what he described as excessive identity politics, alleging that PAS had failed to manage the coalition according to democratic principles and good governance, while betraying its political partners.
Despite his criticism, Azmin said Bersatu found the RoS decision difficult to accept, given that the party was a founding member of PN and had played a role in establishing the coalition.
Nevertheless, he acknowledged that PN was required to fulfil its obligations under its constitution and the Societies Act 1966, also known as Act 832, to ensure legal compliance and proper governance.
Azmin said Bersatu would study the full RoS decision before its Supreme Leadership Council determined the party’s next course of action.
He added that the party remained committed to rebuilding public confidence in a political coalition that upholds moderation, values-based politics and a new vision for a prosperous Malaysia.
–Minutesmy
